I recall planting my first marigold seed in a yoghurt pot at kindergarten. I can still feel the wonder I felt as I watched it pop through the earth’s surface and transform from a leafy plant into a flower. Our elderly neighbour Shirley grew dahlias and I remember being mesmerised by the large fluffy blooms as they poked their faces through the fence. Now, when I smell Dahlias and Marigolds I am instantly back in that town house garden.
We moved out to the countryside the day I turned six and I found my soul there. I loved spending time among the wild Foxgloves that were dotted along the river banks. The snowy mountain views and fresh country air sparked in me a desire to create beautiful things. I would lie awake at night dreaming of making, packaging and selling tiny (hotel sized) pots of strawberry jam that I planned to sell from a makeshift stall outside our house. I grew up and pursued a career in nursing which was rewarding but not where I really wanted to be.
During my overseas travels, I stayed in Canada for nearly two and a half years in the most beautiful stone farmhouse - ‘EastCliff Farm’ in Ayton, Ontario. Surrounding all four sides of the house was a garden spilling over with Peonies and beautiful cottage garden flowers. I would wander out to the garden and pick dreamy bunches to bring inside. It was here that I learnt how to design flowers for weddings and events from the owner of the farm and garden, Joanne Weber. She was so kind, patient and generous towards me with her time, money and flowers and I am forever grateful as she opened doors for me that I may not otherwise have discovered. Im now 37 - I’m not selling jam but I have bunches of flowers for sale at the gate every Friday during Spring, and through to Autumn. (Link here - ‘Flowers At The Gate.”).
I have become a gardener not out of a love of gardening but from an obsession to have special flower and foliage varieties on hand which I find really hard to source at the local flower markets. I love a muted and soft colour palette with the occasional burst of colour speckled throughout. It’s a dream as a floral designer to wander through the garden snipping blooms for my bucket to fit the occasion.
I have 14 small garden beds which are perfect for a busy Mum of three little boys. Time in the garden is very limited so small beds are so easy to maintain and not overwhelming when it comes to weeding. I wander daily through the beds looking for new growth - a self sown seedling or a perenial waking up after winter and emerging through the soil. I get so excited when something is about to flower for the first time, especially after a stark winter. I steal time here and there to sow seeds or dead head flowers in between chasing, nurturing and cuddling my sweet and rambunctious sons.
My garden is a labour of love, it is a project in constant motion. It will never be finished. It evolves and changes with the seasons. Plants will be pulled out and replaced by new ones. Some will die and others I’ll decide they don’t belong. As the days come and go the beds will be brimming over with romantic flowers, just waiting to be picked.
Most of my floral designs are now made with product that I have grown. Stay connected by reading ‘Flowers At My Doorstep’ - a journal where I am documenting my garden growth and floral design journey.
Anna x
